NOE "M" Dies Sticking

quicksylver

Well-Known Member
I bought a bunch of Al's "M" style inserts for the Lee expander.

I am generally happy with them.

However after having used them for about four months I have discovered two things
that puzzle me;

1. the 312-308 and 313-309 have the same stem dimension, .308

2. after using them for awhile they "cling" to the inside of the case neck
and take more effort than I would think necessary to release them.
My Lyman "M" dies do not do that.

They work very well, I an sure you have seen some of the groups I have posted using them.

Is there something about the metal used in Al's plugs that could account for this
or am I doing something wrong?

BTW, I neck size with a Lee collet die just enough to get the inside to .308.
This happens with both Federal commercial 30-06 and military cases.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Dan
 

S Mac

Sept. 10, 2021 Steve left us. You are missed.
I haven't used any of Al's expanders but many times I'll wipe a film of JPW inside the neck with a Qtip when sizing, makes the expander pull out easier. I'm trying to lessen runout on the case.
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
I have M Dies for 224's and 308's. Have Al expanders for 6mm, 284, 325, 358, and have had no problem so far with any of them. I also use powdered graphite on tight expanders.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I wonder if you could impact plate them with MoS2 powder?
 
9

9.3X62AL

Guest
Some kind of dry or oily lube inside the case neck helps with all expanding operations. A very small amount makes worlds of difference.
 

quicksylver

Well-Known Member
Thanks guys....I like the powdered graphite idea.

I keep forgetting thar I have the stuff.

I like Jim have used case lube but don't like having it inside the case.

Could you just "dip" the case neck in some?
 

Stonecrusher

Active Member
I use the RCBS neck cleaning brush handle with whatever size poly bore brush is applicable. I use a little Imperial sizing wax on mine. Very little, it is practically dry.
 

Ian

Notorious member
It must be the metal. Maybe try polishing and hardening? Maybe Al will see this and weigh in with suggestions or an indication of what steel he uses and its suitability for hardening. I have that issue with some of my Lee-brand PTE expanders, particularly the larger-caliber ones. Worst one is a custom one JiminPhx made for my many years ago for .40 S&W, must have been some low-grade steel. The Lee ones work great for a while and then get embedded with brass and start grabbing. Anything other than a dry lube is unacceptable for PTE operations because of lube migrating inside the mouth of the expander where it causes powder to stick and eventually bridge. I resort to cleaning and some Nu-Finish wax periodically, but may explore other options.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
The only note of caution: if you use this method on small bottleneck cartridges like .223 & smaller... after immersing the neck in the graphite coated shot container, tap the case neck upside down on your bench to make sure the shot doesn't get trapped inside the small case ( had that happen once or twice) But that could be easily remedied by using smaller shot like #9s or smaller. I find it only necessary to do every 3rd case or so because the expander picks up the graphite and holds it awhile.
Jim